Chen Guangcheng

Chen Guangcheng, born on November twelfth, nineteen seventy-one, is a prominent Chinese civil rights activist renowned for his unwavering commitment to human rights in rural China. Despite being blind from an early age, Chen became a self-taught lawyer, earning the title of 'barefoot lawyer' as he tirelessly advocated for land rights and the welfare of marginalized communities.

In two thousand five, Chen gained international acclaim for spearheading a landmark class-action lawsuit against local authorities in Linyi, Shandong province, challenging the excessive enforcement of the one-child policy. This courageous act led to his house arrest from September two thousand five to March two thousand six, followed by a formal arrest in June two thousand six. On August twenty-fourth, two thousand six, he was sentenced to four years and three months in prison for charges related to property damage and organizing disturbances.

After serving his full sentence, Chen was released in two thousand ten but remained under house arrest in Dongshigu Village. His plight drew significant international attention, with organizations such as the U.S. State Department and Amnesty International advocating for his release. In two thousand six, he was honored as a Ramon laureate and was named to the Time one hundred list.

In April two thousand twelve, Chen made a daring escape from house arrest, seeking refuge in the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. Following negotiations with the Chinese government, he left the embassy for medical treatment and was eventually granted U.S. visas for himself, his wife, and their two children, allowing them to relocate to New York City. In October two thousand thirteen, he accepted a position with the Witherspoon Institute and also joined the Catholic University of America.